Gezicht op sloopwerkzaamheden op een plein in Amsterdam c. 1902 - 1914

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of demolition work in Amsterdam with graphite on paper. I can just imagine him standing there in the square with his sketchbook. There’s a real sense of looking here—observing the action in a place of change. The lines are so energetic; you can almost feel the dust and hear the rumble of construction. It’s just a fleeting moment, quickly captured. Look at those bold, dark strokes suggesting the bulk of the buildings. Then there are lighter, more tentative lines, mapping out the fleeting details. Breitner was part of a group of artists called the Amsterdam Impressionists. They were interested in capturing everyday life, the grit and the beauty of their modern city. I think there's something so contemporary about this drawing. It’s a reminder that artists are always looking, always responding to the world around them, and showing us new ways of seeing.